Centre For Local Research into Public Space (CELOS)
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Show search optionsCELOS has received funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation:
and the Metcalf Foundation:
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You are on the [About CELOS] page of folder [CELOS (Main)]
For the cover page of this folder go to the Welcome to the website of CELOS
Our Activities
The Centre for Local Research into Public Space (CELOS - pronounced "see-loss") is a non-profit corporation which works in the area of public urban space, mainly parks. The primary focus of activity is in the City of Toronto. CELOS currently engages in three main types of activities:
Research into the use and administration of public spaceSee Research Research is at an early stage. The starting point has been detailed chronicling of activities at Dufferin Grove Park, already thousands of pages. This chronicling activity is gradually expanding elsewhere, notably through diaries of city rinks on cityrinks.ca. |
Experimenting with ways of using public spaceSee Neighbourhoods Experimenting with ways of using public space has been and continues to be a main activity. Insights and lessons learned provide input for research and analysis. CELOS supports activities initially launched by the Friends of Dufferin Grove Park, but with a broader scope. |
Disseminating information about public spaceSee Publishing and Website Usage This is also at an early stage. There are currently three main methods for dissemination of information: newsletters, websites, and publications. |
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About CELOS
posted October 1, 2009
The Centre for Local Research into Public Space
(CELOS: Centre for Local research into Public Space, pronounced "see-loss.") We picked that acronym because we wanted it to sound like CIDOC, the "research by people" institute of our friend, historian and philosopher Ivan Illich, which existed in Mexico in the 1960's and 70's.
Started in 2000, CELOS was incorporated as a non-profit on Sept.21 2005. In July 2009, CELOS was registered as a charity with Canada Revenue.
Its objects until charitable registration:
1. To conduct both practical and theoretical research on issues concerning parks and public commons.
2. To build a library of resource materials for, researchers, governments, and particularly members of the public who are interested in structuring parks/ public commons so that they contribute to the enjoyment of their communities.
3.To provide a forum at Dufferin Grove Park and elsewhere where people can come together to discuss issues relating to parks and public commons.
Its restated objects from July 24 2009:
1. To conduct and disseminate research on the use of neighbourhood public parks and other public commons areas;
2. To establish and operate a resource library to enable members of the public to deepen their knowledge about the use of neighbourhood public parks and other public commons areas; and
3. To undertake activities ancillary and incidental to the attainment of the aforementioned charitable objects.
CELOS Board members 2008/2009: Peter Thillaye (President), Jane LowBeer (Vice-president), Jane Price (Treasurer), Donnelly Smallwood, Mary Jane Young, Matt Leithold, and Chris Sternberg.
Who works for CELOS?CELOS has only contracts, no full-time staff at all. Jutta Mason is the administrator. CELOS researchers are mainly from the local community, including some part-time Recreation staff when they are not booked to work for the City. What does CELOS do?1. CELOS works with Dufferin Grove Park staff to run a kind of a lab, an ongoing experiment in what works and what doesn't, in shaping a "community centre without walls." CELOS collaborates in the development of all Dufferin Grove Park food operations (two ovens, summer wading pool food cart, zamboni snack bar, Friday Night Supper, and Farmers' Market). Since there is an excess of income over expenditure despite the low food costs, CELOS helps put those funds to use, to experiment with park programs such as tree watering, skate lending, playground enhancement, infrastructure (e.g. the addition of the cob courtyard and -- hopefully -- the bio-toilet), safety measures such as additional eyes on the park, gardening, etc. 2. CELOS also works with other groups at other parks. 3. CELOS undertakes follow-up and research on issues arising out of people's use of parks and public space. What's the connection between CELOS and the City?From a 2008 presentation to City Council by former Parks, Forestry and Recreation general manager Brenda Librecz: "Recreation will enhance community involvement so that we can empower communities to better support the delivery of recreational programs and services." CELOS is ahead of the game on "enhancing community involvement," although none of the CELOS aims include the "delivery of services" (see the CELOS mandate, above). CELOS does engage with City Recreation staff in finding out what programs work for people. CELOS engages with Parks staff too, e.g. to stay on top of bench mending, planting and caring for native-species plant beds and children's gardens. It also engages with other departments of the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division: Urban Forestry staff (tree watering, tree care), Strategic Services ("enhance revenue outlook in non-programming streams"), Parks Development and Infrastructure ("improve the capability of facilities to perform to their maximum"), and Management Services ("financial analysis").
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Content last modified on August 05, 2010, at 12:30 PM EST